Safety nondelay train order device



'c. 31, HE R. R. SCOTT SAFETY NONDELAY TRAIN ORDER DEVICE I 2Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed June 2a, 1938 R. R. s co'r'r 2,226,981

SAFETY NONDELAY TRAIN ORDER DEVICE Filed June 28, 1 958 2 Sheets-Sheet 2Patented Dec. 31, 1940 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE;

SAFETY NONDELAY TRAIN ORDER DEVICE Robert Ray Scott, Martin, Tenn.

Application June 28, 1938, Serial No. 216,399

4 Claims.

This invention relates to a safety nondelay train order device, and itis an object of the invention to provide an apparatus of this kindwhereby train orders may be so positioned as to be readily grabbed by anoccupant of an engine cab or of a caboose.

It is also an object of the invention to provide an apparatus of thiskind comprising a rotatable table provided with a plurality of staffswith each of which is adapted to be engaged a message carrying fork, therotating element permitting the various forks to be selectively adjustedin proper position with respect to a rightof-way so that the messagecarried by a fork may be readily grasped by an occupant of a passingtrain.

Another object of the invention is to provide an apparatus of this kindhaving signalling means readily visible to a train approaching in eitherdirection to give notice that a message is in position to be grabbed orpicked up by an occupant of the train.

A further object of the invention is to provide an apparatus of thiskind comprising one or 25 more staffs for selective positioning withrespect to a right-of-way together with a message carrying fork adaptedto be detachably engaged with the staff.

The invention consists in the details of construction and in thecombination and arrangement of the several parts of my improved safetynondelay train order device whereby certain important advantages areattained and the device rendered simpler, less expensive and otherwisemore convenient and advantageous for use, as will be hereinafter morefully set forth.

The novel features of my invention will hereinafter be definitelyclaimed.

In order that my invention may be the better understood, I will nowproceed to describe the same with reference to the accompanyingdrawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a diagrammatic view in top plan illustrating the positioningof a crane embodying my invention with respect to a right-of-way.

Figure 2 is a view partly in section and partly in elevation of myimproved apparatus, the line of section being substantially on the line2-2 of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional View taken substantiallyon the line 3-3 of Figure 1 with parts in elevation;

Figure 4 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken substantiallyon the line 4-4 of Figure 3;

Figure 5 is a diagrammatic view illustrating the various signal lightsand operating circuits therefor;

Figure 6 is an enlarged fragmentary view in elevation of the outerextremity of a tine comprised in a fork, an associated string beingshown in fragment;

Figure 7 is a view similar to Figure 6 but illustrating an embodimentwherein a protective tip is engaged over the outer extremity of thetine; 10

Figure 8 is a detailed sectional View taken substantially on the line 88of Figure 2.

As diagrammatically illustrated in Figure 1, my improved apparatus is sopositioned upon a station platform or otherwise as may be preferred withrespect to the right-of-way R as to permit a ready grabbing or pickingoff of a message carried by the apparatus by an occupant of a passingtrain Without the necessity of the train changing its speed and withoutrequiring the. attendance of an employee. The apparatus is preferablypositioned in relatively close proximity to the office A for thetelegrapher or other employee.

Theapparatus, as herein disclosed, comprises an upstanding standard Iwhich is supported in desired position in any manner preferred andherein disclosed through the medium of a base 2. The manner of mountingand supporting the standard I may, however, be as desired.

I As herein disclosed, the standard I is tubular and threading in theupper portion of the standard I is the lower extremity of a verticallydirected member 3 which extends a desired distance above the top of thestandard I. This member 3 also threads through a table 4 having itscentral portion welded, as at 5, or otherwise fixedly secured to the topof the standard I.

Freely mounted on the member 3 and resting upon the table 4 is a disk orrotatable member 6 havin gextending outwardly and upwardly therefrom thestaffs 1, 8 and 9. As herein disclosed, the staffs 1 and 9 areoppositely disposed with the staff 8 arranged intermediate thereof. Thestaffs I and 9 are disposed upwardly on an incline of approximatelyforty-five degrees while the staff 8 is upwardly disposed on an angle ofapproximately thirty degrees.

Each of the staffs has its upper end portion reduced, as at ID, theinner extremity of which portion In is surrounded by a shoulder II. Thisshoulder I0 is angular in cross section and snugly fits within a socketl2 provided at one end portion of an elongated handle 14 of a fork F. Bymeans of the socket l2 a fork is detachably and selectively engaged withone of the staffs 1, 8 or 9. When each of such staffs is free of a forkand particularly during low, temperatures, a cap I5 is engaged over theportion [0 of the staif to eliminate the formation of ice thereon whichmight interfere with the application of a fork to such staff. There is asleeve for each of the staffs and each of which sleeves when not in useis suspended from the table 4 by a chain It or other preferred flexiblemember of suflicient length.

The outer end portion or that extremity of the handle member l4 remotefrom the socket l2, has secured thereto, as at H, the inner end portionsof the flat spring members 3. These members l8 extend a desired distancebeyond the adjacent outer end of the handle member [4 and the outerportions of said springs 18 are held in close relation by a rigid member19 or the like.

Telescopically engaged within the outer end portion of' the'handlemember 14 is a tang 20 held to the handle member M by the rivet orfastening means if hereinbefore referred to., This tang 20 is arrangedat the central part of a base orcross member 2| of the fork proper theextremities of said member 2| being continued by the outwardly divergingtines 22 of desired length. It is to be noted that the tines 22 arecoplanar and also on a plane extending between the outer portions of thesprings [8. In other words, the tines 22 are in right angular relationto the springs 48.. The outer extremity of each of the tines 22 isprovided with a notch 23 to receive a portion of a string or band 24 towhich the message M'is tied, as at 25, in a conventional manner. Thisstring or band 24 constitutes a loop and theintermediate portion thereofis frictionally engaged between the springs 18 as clearly illustrated inthe accompanying drawings. This engagement of the string or band 24 withthe springs l8 serves to maintain said band or string in'properengagement with the outer extremities of the tines 22. When the fork isin proper position with respect to the right-of-way an/occupant of thetrain may readily grasp the string or band and thus pick up the messagesecured thereto. f a

The tines 22 are of such length and so spaced apart as to allow thestring or band 24 to provide a loop of su'fificient size so that thehand and forearm of a trainman may readily pass through the loop formedby the string or band 24.

When a fork is applied to either of the staifs I or 8 the message is tobe grabbed or picked up by. an .occupant of the locomotive. When it isdesired to deliver a message to the occupant of acaboose or kindredrolling stock the fork is applied to the staff 3.

Two staffs l and 8 are provided to enable the delivery of messages tothe engineman of a double header. Under these conditions, however, astation attendant will have to shift the second fork into properposition after the message has been taken from a fork by an engineman onthe first locomotive.

As disclosed in the accompanying drawings, the disk or rotatable member6 has p-ivotally connected thereto, as at 25, an end portion of anelongated operating handle 2'1. As herein disclosed, the pivotalconnection 26 is substantially diametrically opposed to the staff 8 orata point substantially midway between the stairs 9 and l.

The handle 21 closely adjacent to its pivot 23 carries a depending lug28 which freely works through the opening 29 in the disk or rotatablemember 6 and which is adapted to be selectively received within aholding recess 30 provided in the upper face of the table 4.

Each of the staffs 'l, 8 and 9 has one of these recesses 30 in radialalignment therewith and in the placement of the crane the operatinghandle 21 is substantially at right angles to the right-ofway B so thatwhen the lug 28 is within a recess 30, the radially aligned staffs 1, 8and 9 will be disposed toward such right-of-way and held in thisposition. The various staffs I, 8 and 9 can be readily moved intodesired position with respect to the right-of-way upon slight raisingmovement of the operating handle 21 to unlock the disk or member 6 and,of course, when the desired adjustment is made the lug 28vis droppedinto engagement with the corresponding recess 30 to lock the disk ormember 6 against rotation.

Coupled by the sleeve 3| to the upper portion of'the member 3 is thelower extremity of an upstandingcolumn 32 which constitutes an extensionof the standard I. The upper end portion of this column 32 is continuedby a right angular extension 33 which in the placing of the crane isdisposed toward the right-of-way. This column 32 and extension 33 arealso tubular for the passage therethrough of the conductors for thesignal lights to be hereinafter more particularly referred to. The outerend portion of .the arm 33 carries an electric lamp 3 3 preferably aconventional bulb and which lamp is arranged within a reflector 35 alsocarried by the outer end portion' of the arm 33. This reflector 35, asherein disclosed, is relatively long and narrow and is so constructedand arranged to throw a beam of light down upon a fork F which has beenproperly positioned with respect to the right-ofway. This lamp 34 andreflector 35 assure effective illumination of such fork and more particularly of the spring or band 24 so that the grabbing or picking up of themessage by an occupant of the train is materially facilitated.

The arm 33 also carries the oppositely disposed signal lamps 35-, eachhaving associated therewith a reflector 37. Each of these lamps 36 hasits independent operating circuit a while the lamp 34 also has itsindependent circuit b. The circuits 0. are of a flasher type while thecircuit b is one which'provides for a continuous burning of the lamp. v

The conductors for the several circuits as hereinbefore stated, extenddown through the column 32 and extension 33 and preferably lead to apoint within the telegraphers office A and wherein each of the circuitsaand b has interposed therein a conventional switch 38 so that thevarious lamps may be caused to operate when desired. The flashing of alamp 36 gives notice to the crew of an approaching train that there is amessage in position to be grabbed or picked up.

In Figure 7 of the drawings, the outer extremities of each of the tines39 of a fork has applied thereto a cap- 4-3 of rubber or other suitablematerial to protect against injury the person on the passing train whoreaches out to grab or pick sary for a station man to stand close toapassing train to deliver an order or message but, on the contrary, myimproved device can be properly set and then no longer require theattention of the station man.

The source of electrical energy for operating the various lamps orsignals may be a conventional supply line or dry cell batteries.

The lamps 36 are also to be used under authority from a train dispatcherto not allow a train 1 to head into a sidetrack and to flash on and oilas the signal for a train to come down the main line to avoid delays.

It is believed to be apparent from the foregoing that my device operateseifectively to provide safety for employees and to save delays oftrains.

From the foregoing description it is thought to be obvious that a safetynon-delay train order device constructed in accordance with my inventionis particularly well adapted for useby reason of the convenience andfacility with which it may be assembled and operated, and it will alsobe obvious that my invention is susceptible of some change andmodification without departing from the principles and spirit thereofand for this reason I do not wish to be understood as limiting myself tothe precise arrangement and formation of the several parts herein shownin carrying out my invention in practice except as hereinafter claimed.

I claim:

1. A train order crane comprising a column, a table carried by thecolumn at a point above its lower end, a member resting from above uponthe table and rotating around the column, upwardlyand outwardly disposedstaffs carried by the rotatable member, an order carrying forkselectively engageable with the stafis, and a handle member carried byand above the rotatable member, said handle member being secured to therotatable member for swinging movement toward and from said rotatablemember, said handle member havinga part engaging the table for holdingthe rotatable member against rotation when a staff is in workingposition.

2. A train order crane comprising a column, a table carried by thecolumn at a point above its the table and rotating around the column,upwardly and outwardly disposed stafis carried by the rotatable member,an order carrying fork selectively engageable with the stafis, and ahandle member carried by and above the rotatable member, said handlemember being secured to the rotatable member for swinging movementtoward and from said rotatable member, said handle member having a partengaging the table for holding the rotatable member against rotationwhen a staff is in working position, certain of said staffs beingdisposed on a greater angle than the remainder.

3. A train order crane comprising a column, a table carried by thecolumn at a point above its lower end, a member resting from above uponthe table and rotating around the column, up-

' wardlyand outwardly disposed staffs carried by the rotatable member,an order carrying fork I lower end, a member resting from above uponselectively engageable with the staffs, a handle member pivotallyconnected to the rotatable member and positioned above and extendingsubstantially radial of said rotatable member, and means carried by thehandle member and engaging the table for holding the rotatable member.

placed in working position, a handle member pivotally connected to therotating member, and a lug carried by said handle member, said lug whenthe handle member is lowered extending through the opening in therotatable member and within the recess of the table in register withsaid opening to lock the rotatable member against rotation, liftingmovement of the handle member freeing the lug from the table to permitrotation of the rotatable member.

ROBERT RAY SCOTT.

